Gossypium herbaceum subsp. africanum presenting its wild cotton

Once the fruit capsule of Gossypium herbaceum subsp. africanum bursts open, the white cotton-like contents stream out. The seeds inside their cotton coverings are black.

Carried away by birds or whatever means are adopted by the particular forces operating in the environment at the time, seed dispersal is a vital function. It capitalises on whatever opportunities are presented from the event, random but for the odds of its specific characteristics, the environmental features and some weather conditions and random factors. The process is repeated umpteen times, once for every viable seed launched in the casino of nature with its pattern of bias.

Statistics favour the prolific. There are no devious or twisted minds here, only a twisting capsule and epicalyx tips indicating player origin. Every dry seed is a serious player with one chance to germinate, going for broke (Pooley, 1998; Onderstall, 1996; Letty, 1962; iSpot; Mannheimer and Curtis, (Eds.), 2009; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000).